Stena Line continued to set new records on its three Belfast services last year, reporting a 1% increase in freight units during 2025.
The Swedish shipping line company said almost 600,000 units were transported on its Cairnryan, Birkenhead and Heysham lines last year.
Stena said demand for freight services on the Irish Sea has increased steadily in recent years, particularly on the Belfast to Birkenhead route, where the number of units shipped in 2025 surpassed a record 270,000.
The Heysham route also recorded its highest volumes in the past five years.
The ferry operator said it expects volumes to increase again this year with the roll-out of it the new Stena Connecta vessel on January 23.
It follows the launch of sister ship Stena Futura, which was commissioned on the route in November.
Both ships will provide an additional 40% freight capacity when fully operational.
Paul Grant, Stena Line’s trade director on Irish Sea North, said: “The 2025 results underscore Belfast’s position as one of the most strategically important business hubs across the Stena Line network.
“These routes provide vital infrastructure linking NI and GB.
“Our Irish Sea business has been transformed over the last three decades through a combination of fleet and port investments along with the continued support of our customers.”
Stena retains its status as the largest ferry operator on the Irish Sea, providing up to 242 weekly sailings.
